Surveying system and marking device

Abstract

A system and method for creating and storing a trace of a surveyed area is provided. The system includes a marking device that is moved along the outer perimeter of an area to be surveyed. A tablet computer of the marking device communicates with a surveying station and stores defined points along the survey trace. Once the survey trace is completed, the tablet computer of the marking device generates a calculation of the surface area and a cost estimate for covering the surface area with various materials. The trace is stored within the tablet computer such that the marking device can be utilized to re-mark the surface trace at a later date. The marking device includes a spray unit that is automatically activated by the tablet computer to generate markings along the survey trace.

I claim: 
     
         1 . A marking device for use with a surveying station, comprising:
 a support body;   a tablet computer mounted to the support body, the tablet computer haying a display;   a target device mounted to the support body; and   a spray unit mounted to the support body and in operative communication with the tablet computer such that the tablet computer controls the operation of the spray unit.   
     
     
         2 . The marking device of  claim 1  wherein the spray unit includes a spray applicator and an actuator, wherein the operation of the actuator is controlled by the tablet computer. 
     
     
         3 . The marking device of  claim 2  wherein the spray unit further includes an internal power supply coupled to the actuator. 
     
     
         4 . The marking device of  claim 1  wherein the spray applicator is a can of spray paint. 
     
     
         5 . The marking device of  claim 1  wherein the mobile computer communicates with the surveying station utilizing wireless communication. 
     
     
         6 . The marking device of  claim 1  further comprising a measuring wheel mounted to the support body for movement of the support body along the ground. 
     
     
         7 . The marking device of  claim 1  wherein the target device is a 360° prism. 
     
     
         8 . A method of surveying an area, comprising the steps of:
 positioning a surveying station at a reference location;   positioning a marking device along a portion of the area to be surveyed;   activating a tablet computer of the marking device, wherein the tablet computer is in wireless communication with the surveying station;   moving the marking device along a perimeter of the area to be surveyed;   displaying a path of movement of the marking device on a display of the tablet computer;   calculating an area defined by the path of movement in the tablet computer; and   displaying the calculated area on the tablet computer.   
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 8  further comprising the steps of:
 selecting a material type for the calculated area; 
 calculating a cost estimate for covering the calculated area with the selected material; and 
 displaying the cost estimate on the tablet computer. 
 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 8  wherein the marking device includes a target device that is detected by the surveying station. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 10  wherein the surveying station communicates the detected position of the target device to the tablet computer. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 8  wherein the path of movement of the marking device is displayed in real time with the movement of the marking device. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 8  further comprising the step of storing the path of movement on the tablet computer as a survey trace. 
     
     
         14 . A method of marking a surveyed area comprising the steps of:
 positioning a surveying station at a reference location;   positioning a marking device near the surveyed area;   retrieving a stored trace of the surveyed area from a tablet computer of the marking device;   displaying the stored trace and a current position of the marking device on the display of the tablet computer;   moving the marking device along the displayed stored trace; and   activating a spray unit of the marking device to mark the stored trace on the ground.   
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 14  wherein the tablet computer automatically activates the spray unit to mark the stored trace on the ground when the marking device is located along the stored trace. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 15  wherein the spray unit includes a spray applicator and an actuator, wherein the tablet computer activates the actuator. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 14  wherein the tablet computer receives the current position of the marking device from the survey station through wireless communication. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 14  wherein the stored trace is retrieved from the tablet computer.